Irene Heldman

Irene Rudzinsky Heldman of Lower Burrell went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, following a lengthy illness, surrounded by her husband and family at her side.

She was the daughter of the late Anthony and Katherine Patak Rudzinsky, formerly of Stowe Township.

Irene was the loving wife for more than 57 years to David M. Heldman. They were married at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church, Pittsburgh’s Northside.

Irene was a dedicated and loving mother to her three children, Irene K. Heldman, M.D., Donna E. Heldman and Meredith S. Heldman Heavner (Kirk), all of Mars. She was the loving grandmother of Alexander P. Heavner of Mars. She also is survived by her sister, Mary Rudzinsky Stecko, as well as several nieces and nephews

She worked at Bell Telephone in its business office until she left to take her “dream job,” which was raising her three daughters and later spending time with her grandson, Alex. She always was there to cheer on her family, from the early years, through high school and into college, and never missed a softball game, track event or tennis match.

Although she loved attending her daughters’ events, what she loved to do the most was to watch her “favorite” Alexander play baseball, basketball and football. Despite her illness, she was able to watch him play baseball last month, during her first outing in more than seven months.

Irene was a former member of the St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church, where she taught Sunday school. She was very active in the Katherine Kuhlman ministry for more than 25 years and sang in the concert choir. Every Christmas, her family enjoyed listening to the choir’s recording of Handel’s “Messiah.”

She was also a former member of the Lower Burrell/New Kensington Garden Club and had been active in the Girl Scouts and PTA organizations.

Irene was the First Lady of Syria Shrine when her husband served as the potentate in 2009. During his year as potentate, as well as his six years as an officer, she enjoyed traveling and supporting the Shrine by attending numerous Shrine events. Over the years, she made many dear friends through their involvement in the Shrine.

In addition to First Lady, she also served as the past president of the Syria Motor Corp Ladies Auxiliary and was a member of the Daughters of the Nile.

Irene was a kind, sincere, thoughtful person who always knew the right thing to say and never spoke an unkind word.

Heldman— Friends of Irene Rudzinsky Heldman, who died Tuesday, July 29, 2014, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today and Friday at the RUSIEWICZ OF LOWER BURRELL FUNERAL HOME, 3124 Leechburg Road at Alder Street, Lower Burrell. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Grace Community Presbyterian Church, 2751 Grant St., Lower Burrell, by the Rev. Clifford Buell. Everyone is asked to meet at the church. Entombment will follow in Mount Royal Mausoleum, Glenshaw.Memorials may be made to the Transportation Fund, Syria Shrine Center, 1877 Shriners Way, Cheswick, PA 15024, or to the Leukemia Society River Walk Corporate Centre, 333 E. Carson St., Ste. 441, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.For more information, please visit www.RusiewiczFH.com.